K2 and bath salts. Both are dangerous drugs local law enforcement agents have been working to keep off QCA streets. And now, legislation to ban chemicals used in those drugs is on its way to President Barack Obama.
It is legislation that began in Iowa. Senator Charles Grassley introduced the David Mitchell Rozga act last March. He named it after an Indianola teen who smoked K2, then took his own life. David's mother Jan, telling anyone who would listen, "Take it seriously please, it can happen to anyone at any time."
And states across the country have worked to crack down, trying to keep up with those who make synthetic drugs and change them just enough to stay a step ahead of the law. But now this federal law is on the President's desk, banning chemicals used to make K2 and bath salts.
Metropolitan Enforcement Group Director Kevin Winslow says, "It's definitely gonna give law enforcement the tools that we need to at least initiate the investigation, talk to the business owners and let them understand that regardless of what it's manufactured for or marketed for, the intended purpose is still gonna be a synthetic high that is harmful to a lot of people that use this."
He says the new ban would make prosecution easier too. It covers 28 chemicals used in synthetic drugs that are often sold as incense or plant food, and can trigger violent behavior. "I think the majority of people will keep this off the shelves of convenience stores and cigarette stores and places where kids can come in," Winslow tells us.
He says this won't make synthetics go away. Instead, he sees them moving to the internet, or sellers trying to change their marketing strategy. "I think you're gonna see it go into the energy type products." At the same time, he says this bill would be a great start, telling us, "It's really gonna help law enforcement and prosecutors try to keep this stuff off the streets."
No word on when the President will sign it. But, Senator Grassley says the ban can't come quickly enough.
